Rotary switch with improved spiral contact structure

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a rotary switch having multiple positions and multiple poles for preselecting a sequence of operations for the multiple poles with a set input sequence based on the rotary selector position. The switch embodies a plurality of spirally wound switch elements mounted on a rotary selector for the various switch position inputs with the pole contacts being stationary and in line. By such unique multiple spiral contacts, no internal switch wiring is required and the construction is made extremely simple and the cost is greatly reduced.

O United States Patent [151 3,647,994

Vozenilek Mar. 7, 1972 [54] ROTARY SWITCH WITH IMPROVED 3,047,683 7/1962 Shlesinger, .Ir ..200/4 SPIRAL CONTACT STRUCTURE 2,472,230 6/1949 Reinschmidt, Jr.... ...200/158 2,874,237 2/1959 Shelsinger, Jr ..200/4 lnvemofi Thmdm Voumlek, plltsburshl 3,300,749 l/l967 Lombardi ..200/4 73 Assi nee: S ncer E. Re nolds Mur sville, Pa. 21 f l l g g; interest y 1 ry A Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott a An0rneyWilliam J. Ruano [22] Filed: July 17, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 55,775 [571 ABSTRACT This invention relates to a rotary switch having multiple positions and multiple poles for preselecting a sequence of opera- [52] Cl 00/8 ga 2 tions for the multiple poles with a set input sequence based on [51] Int Cl "01h 9/00 the rotary selector position. The switch embodies a plurality of [58] i R 3158 spirally wiound switch elements mounted on a rotary selector i b for the various switch position inputs with the pole contacts being stagtionary and in line. By such unique multiple spiral [56] References Cited contacts; no internal switch wiring is required and the construction is made extremely simple and the cost is greatly UNITED STATES PATENTS reduced- 6 3,138,672 6/ l964 Shlesinger, Jr ..200/11 R 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented March 7, 1972 3,647,994

THEODORE M.VOZENILEK his ATTORNEY- ROTARY SWITCH WITH IMPROVED SPIRAL CONTACT STRUCTURE This invention relates to a rotary switch and, more particularly, to a rotary switch having multiple positions and multiple stationary poles for preselecting a sequence of operations for the multiple poles.

An outstanding disadvantage of rotary switches having multiple positions and poles, as presently used, is'that complicated internal switch wiring is required to set up the proper circuitry-thus labor costs and maintenance costs are considerable.

Another disadvantage of presently available rotary tap switches is that flexibility for preselecting a sequence of operations involves high wiring labor costs.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel rotary switch having multiple positions and multiple poles, which switch is devoid of the above-named disadvantages and which requires no internal switch wiring, thereby considerably reducing labor costs and maintenance costs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel rotary switch for preselecting a sequence of operations for its multiple poles with a set input sequence based on the rotary selector position.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a rotary switch embodying a plurality of spirally wound continuous contacts, one for each switch position input with the pole contacts being stationary and in line.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top or plan view ofa rotary switch embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view thereof with parts shown in vertical cross section;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view as viewed from the right of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line VV ofFIG. l; and,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing various spiral contacts and stationary pole contacts in contacting position.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, numerals l, 2, 3 and 4 denote a plurality of pole contacts that are stationary and disposed in horizontal alignment, being mounted stationarily by attachment to base 13 of a support. The support includes side pedestal bearing elements 11 and 12 in which a rotor of insulating material is journaled. To the stationary poles l, 2, 3 and 4 are soldered or otherwise electrically connected the flexible leaf spring contacts 5, 6, 7 and 8, respectively, which in the position shown in FIG. 2, form a slidable contact with continuous spiral switch elements 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, respectively. The ends of the various continuous spiral switch elements project through the end portion of rotor 10, as shown in FIG. 2, and are denoted by the same reference numerals. The rotary element 10 may be rotated by grasping or manually driving an insulated sleeve 9 to various rotary positions. One of the ends of the various spirally wound switch elements 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a is hooked and embedded in radial slots or well portions 15 formed in the rotary or selector element 10, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.

The rotary switch has multiple positions and multiple poles, the function of which are to preselect a sequence of operations for the multiple poles with a set input sequence based on the rotor or selector position. A continuous spiral contact is provided for each switch position input with the pole contacts being stationary and in line.

positions and poles. For example, a fourole, four-position switch can have the following sequence 0 operations with a constant I, 2, 3, 4 order ofinput-- 1a, 2a, 3a, 411; 312,411, la, 20 and 4a, 1a, 2a, 3a.

While a four-pole switch has been shown for purposes of illustration, any smaller or larger number of poles may be used instead. And while one aligned set of stationary poles I, 2, 3 and 4 have been shown, additional sets (not shown) may extend radially from different portions of the circumference of the rotor 10 to coactwith a new set of spirally wound switch elements (not shown) which can be wound intermediate the spiral switch elements la, 2a, 3a, 4a, shown.

For example, a modification of the invention consists in embodying the spirally wound contacts in an axially sliding rotor relative to the stationary contacts in lieu of rotational contact. In this modification, either of the rotor 10 may slide axially relative to the stationary pole contacts mounted on terminal block 30 or the pole contact terminal block 30 may slide parallel to the axis of the rotor, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 2, to accomplish the same sequential operation as the rotating switch.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel rotary switch comprising multiple positions and multiple poles with a set input sequence based on the position of the selector or rotor and utilizing a continuous spiral contact for each switch position input with the pole contacts being stationary and in line; furthermore, I have provided a rotary switch having no internal switch wiring as required in existing rotary tap switches, thus considerably reducing labor costs and the cost of manufacture and at the same time greatly increasing the flexibility of the switch by enabling preselection of a wider variety of sequences of operation for the multiple poles than heretofore possible.

While I have illustrated and described a single specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this is by way ofillustration only and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the following description and claims.

Iclaim:

l. A multiple pole switch comprising a cylinder of insulating material, a multiplicity of separate, spirally wound switch elements rigidly attached to the outer surface portion of said cylinder and whose coils are longitudinally spaced apart uniformly, one of the ends of said switch elements projecting from one end of said cylinder for connection to an electric circuit, the other of the ends of said switch elements being rigidly secured to the other end of said cylinder, a plurality of flexible terminal contacts mounted on a terminal block and disposed in longitudinal alignment and spaced apart uniformly by the same distance as the spacing between said coils, and switching means for effecting relative longitudinal movement between said switch elements and said terminal contacts so that said terminal contacts will come into contact with selective different ones of said spirally wound switch elements to effect switching in said circuit.

2. A switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said cylinder is rotatably mounted on its axis to effect said switching.

3. A switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said terminal block is longitudinally slidable in opposite directions parallel to the axis of said cylinder to effect said switching.

4. A switch as recited in claim 2 wherein said other end of said spirally wound switch elements are embedded in radial well portions formed in said cylinder. 

1. A multiple pole switch comprising a cylinder of insulating material, a multiplicity of separate, spirally wound switch elements rigidly attached to the outer surface portion of said cylinder and whose coils are longitudinally spaced apart uniformly, one of the ends of said switch elements projecting from one end of said cylinder for connection to an electric circuit, the other of the ends of said switch elements being rigidly secured to the other end of said cylinder, a plurality of flexible terminal contacts mounted on a terminal block and disposed in longitudinal alignment and spaced apart uniformly by the same distance as the spacing between said coils, and switching mEans for effecting relative longitudinal movement between said switch elements and said terminal contacts so that said terminal contacts will come into contact with selective different ones of said spirally wound switch elements to effect switching in said circuit.
 2. A switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said cylinder is rotatably mounted on its axis to effect said switching.
 3. A switch as recited in claim 1 wherein said terminal block is longitudinally slidable in opposite directions parallel to the axis of said cylinder to effect said switching.
 4. A switch as recited in claim 2 wherein said other end of said spirally wound switch elements are embedded in radial well portions formed in said cylinder. 